Free speech takes a hit

Posted Wednesday, August 25, 2010, at 8:13 AM

Last week, we criticized those Islamaphobics who are opposing the construction of a mosque near the site of the 9/11 attacks.

The problem, as we saw it, was their opposition to a Constitutional right to freedom of religion. But as misguided as we believe they are -- a product we readily admit is due to the insensitivity of the mosque proponents for choosing that location -- we also believe those opponents have a fundamental constitutional right to speak their mind.

Apparently, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi disagrees. She wants to see the opponents "investigated" -- functionally harassed -- for expressing their opinion. This, in many ways, is an even worse -- and more direct -- assault on the Constitution. It reminds us of Nixon and his enemies list.

There is no right in this country more important, or more fundamental, than the right of free speech. It is the right of free speech that protects all the other rights granted in the Constitution.

You don't even have to be right, logical or fair. The Constitution doesn't care.

The Constitution doesn't take polls to decide which way the wind blows (a la Harry Reid). It doesn't bow to public sentiment. It stands like a rock against all adversity, protecting both the great and small, both the mainstream and the reviled.

There are times when some people appear to believe the Constitution is something that is merely convenient, when it supports their cause, but something they can ignore when it doesn't. But that isn't true. The Constitution stands above petty politics and endures as the very foundation of all the ideals that this country represents.

The mosque controversy began as a simple local planning and zoning issue. It was approved by a 23-1 vote. But it has become a test of our fundamental principles --both freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

It has blurred the political boundaries, with liberals like Harry Reid opposing its construction, and staunch conservatives like Ron Paul criticizing the opposition. We believe Paul has the better argument. He makes a valid distinction between a religion and religious fanatic terrorists. He stands on firm Constitutional and historical grounds, we believe.

Religious animosity has always been a part of every culture and society. There was a time in this country, for example, when states tried to block the right of Catholics to vote or hold public office. John Kennedy's bid for the presidency nearly foundered on the anti-Catholic vote. And even today, it is probably beyond the realm of possibility that Mitt Romney will ever win the Republican nomination for president -- simply because he's a Mormon.

A man's religion is in his heart, and if his heart is pure, then both he and the religion he professes are as well.

The Constitution protects all religions, not just those of the majority. That's something the opponents of the mosque have either forgotten or ignored.

But it also protects all citizens who wish to peacefully express their opinion. That's something that Pelosi seems to have either forgotten, or chosen to ignore as well. She is compounding one Constitutional error with another -- and a more grievous one.

hey there i have taken my shots...... its ok snide remarks and all.......part of the debate.... sometimes it gets hot.....anyhow taking over the car industry specifically gm.....during all of our wars of any lenght the car industry ( the only one left) builds our war fighting capabilty,,,,,planes ,tanks,etc and they are that infastructure.....your a soldier zook, you know that/////// ok so we saved and didnt create..... what would have happened if we lost those 1 million jobs that included the subcontractors etc .......anyhow you get my point...... you know you might not like it but we agree on alot.......our rational is just different....... oh taxes.....if you have ever owned a business you would know how hard it is to keep up with the taxe paperwork and that is not and exscuse......i dont know anyone who has major money who hasnt made a taxe mistake... me included ....you take care of it and move on.....there is a difference if there is criminal intent.....see ya tired had to play last night

-- Posted by lamont on Sun, Aug 29, 2010, at 2:03 PM

What's up with Beck? He seems to be changing his tune ! Taking back some of his remarks about Obama

What's that all about?

The Rally in DC not political? My son who is in the NY Army Guard was there and he will soon be here for a visit. Maybe I can get some info out of him :)

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sun, Aug 29, 2010, at 11:21 AM

cantjustwatch

Listen it wasn't a personal attack, It was more or less a funny about the hearing aides as I in case you don't know am older then he is :)

The Beck remark came from the past when he used to toot his horn about Beck.

Calm yourself down a bit

It's ok were cool

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Aug 28, 2010, at 4:14 PM

I don't think bazook has his hearing aids turned on...and he is probably at Becks rally in DC lol !

-- Posted by MsMarylin on Sat, Aug 28, 2010, at 12:12 PM

you know zook YOU only hear what you want.... so lets go from the top......to grant miranda as lt was done is in the constitution based on were the crime was committed......and were the person was arrested.....to suspend miranda is a slippery slope , who do we suspend it for next????....this administration did what it was sopposed to do constituioanly and all legal scholars have said so you should listen......to it all.....i guess you are saying that our republican congress never passed a bill at night or one that everyone didnt read etc .......I shall note that you are perfect......yes?????????....and i could argue that a republican president and congrees for 8 years did nothing about illegals so they could deprees wages....and have cheap labor that helped to fuel this recession.....but i dont see you looking at that possibilty....... yes we took over a car company........ill say it again a matter of NATIONAL SECURITY......it is a part of our war making machine....what part of that dont we understand...(ww2,korea,viet namm,iraq,check it out.........mandates may be wrong... but there are parts of the health care bill that is in the best intreset of the american people....so lets see what the court has to say...... i would not consider protocal in any way undermines our stature.....for me it shows strength.....it says i know who and what i am dont even think in anyway that i wont kick your butt......and we need to look at some so called allies that have sat on the sidelines through the years and provided lip service and very little else including intelligence.......i dont know how many vacations but im sure that they compare with other president i would ask.....did you count theres too ,or just this president,and if so why?????.....i can stand to be critcised but lets do it fairly and that seems to get lost in the dialogue.......and talk about make up the rules it would seem to me and the courts based on the rejection of good number of cases that the previous administration tried to take us in a diretion that you and i as american citzen could have been incacerated for no other reason than someone implied your crime.....without a formal charge being made......how scary is that????????but you see if you figure that would never happen to you it becomes ok.....that is the slippery slope..... it could happen to you depends on whose in the target zone and when.......think about that....i am not defending im saying there are two sides to every story.....and we should consider both .......oh by the way gm is making money and paying us back with intrest and we did make money.... on most of our deals how come we dont talk about the succeses?????? AND WE SAVED A HELL OF A LOT OF JOBS..........FOOD FOR THOUGHT......HAVE A GREAT DAY

-- Posted by lamont on Sat, Aug 28, 2010, at 11:33 AM

Brain not working to well, should have read Appeals which is nothing new. LOL

-- Posted by Eagle_eye on Wed, Aug 25, 2010, at 12:41 PM

Privacy takes a hit with the 9th Court of Appeals with is nothing new. Guess the Feds will always get there way when it comes to watching over us all.